Mediación al fi nal de la vida en enfermedades avanzadas

Abstract

The possibilities of mediation are presented in response to the management of the individual, family and social conflicts that patients in a terminal or advanced situation may have. The use of conflict resolution techniques is necessary in advanced diseases to implement communication between family members and professionals in order to reach agreements in decision making at the end of life. People who participate generally manage to reduce the emotional cost, and the probability of litigation disappears by increasing the quality of care. Addressing issues related to prolonged care through a mediation process helps to respect the values of all the stakeholders involved, and aims to provide quality at this time. The mediator transforms the formulation of the problem among the opposing parties, separating the person from the problem. This change makes the problem more manageable, which allows a positive management of the conflicts that arise when respecting the people involved. The new perception of the problem is built from the recognition of people facing the problem, which can be faced with the logic of reaching an agreement that benefits everyone. Mediation helps to focus on the common interests that people show in decision-making, based on objective criteria that benefit families facing the end of their loved one's life. This achievement favors dialogue and respect for the decisions made.